Former President Donald Trump is anticipated to be present at Thursday’s hearing in the New York hush money criminal case, as confirmed by Steve Sadow, Trump’s primary attorney for the Georgia election subversion case.
Initially contemplating traveling to Georgia for a hearing led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Trump has now altered his plans to attend the New York hearing, as disclosed by multiple sources familiar with the situation.
This court appearance coincides with a significant legal decision concerning the fate of Trump’s business empire in New York. Both hearings are slated to commence at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Trump (Credits: The Hill)
Initially intrigued by the prospect of attending the Georgia hearing, especially if Willis were compelled to testify about alleged improper relations with her deputy, Nathan Wade, Trump reconsidered.
On Monday, the judge did not rule out the possibility of Willis testifying, emphasizing its reliance on statements from other witnesses.
Advisers to Trump argued that the New York hearing holds greater importance, being a criminal case directly impacting him, sources familiar with internal discussions revealed. Trump faces charges from last March, accused of falsifying business records to commit or conceal another crime.
Prosecutors assert that the former president engaged in a cover-up scheme to conceal reimbursement payments to his ex-attorney, Michael Cohen, who paid hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels to prevent her disclosure of a past affair with Trump before the 2016 presidential election.
Trump, denying the affair, has pleaded not guilty to the 34 charges. Despite the possibility of Willis testifying in Fulton County, advisers perceive the hearing as procedural.
While Trump’s decision-making remains subject to last-minute changes, senior advisers have currently indicated that attending the Georgia hearing is not part of the plan.
